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Empire State Building Owner Sees Observatory Opening in July

Empire State Building Owner Sees Observatory Opening in July

(Bloomberg) -- The Empire State Building’s observation deck, a destination for tourists from all over the world, is scheduled to reopen in July, the tower’s landlord said.

Empire State Realty Trust Inc. said hours will be reduced to start. The observatory has been closed since March 16 to comply with coronavirus social-distancing orders.

Most of the first visitors after the reopening will be local, Chief Executive Officer Tony Malkin said on the company’s earnings call. Restoration of the “typical visitor mix,” which is about two-thirds international, won’t be achieved until the broad resumption of global air travel in 2022, he said.

Observatory revenue fell 5% in the first quarter from a year earlier to $19.5 million, the company said. Visitors declined 30% due to the closing.

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